A record 8,100 fans turn out for Patriots playoff game

Team president and general manager Patrick McVerry, speaks during a luncheon celebrating his eight-year contract extension with the Somerset Patriots during a luncheon conducted Wednesday at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse in Somerville.(Photo: Bob Karp/Staff Photographer.)Buy Photo

BRIDGEWATER – Despite the results on the field, Friday night was a memorable and historic one for the Somerset Patriots.

A franchise and Atlantic League postseason-record 8,131 fans came out to TD Bank Ballpark for Game 3 of the Liberty Division Series against the Long Island Ducks, overshadowing a difficult 6-1 defeat that put Somerset down two games to one in the best-of-five series.

Getting “8,131 fans at the ballpark for a Friday night in September is tremendous, and I love the fact that our fans were there for us," McVerry said. "We’re looking forward to (the weekend) and also having a big crowd. The weather is beautiful, and we’re looking forward to a big Patriots win.”

A big turnout is nothing new for Somerset, which led the league in regular season attendance with a total of 342,231 fans in 66 openings, an average of 5,185 per night.

“The record-breaking attendance reaffirms, in our 20th season, the love that this community has for the Somerset Patriots and the love they have for the way the team goes about doing their jobs," Patriots Chairman Steve Kalafer said. "To see the quality of an audience on a Friday night on an Indian summer, it’s fabulous and it’s great. They love the Somerset Patriots, they love Somerset County. I want to thank the freeholders for making certain that they brought the Somerset Patriots to town.”

If Somerset win their scheduled Game 4 contest against the Ducks on Saturday night, the deciding fifth game would be played in Bridgewater at 5:05 p.m. Sunday.